At least 238 people were killed and around 900 were injured in a horrific three-train collision in Odisha's Balasore, officials said Saturday, the country's deadliest rail accident in more than 20 years.
At least 238 people were killed and around 900 were injured in a horrific three-train collision in Odisha's Balasore, the country's deadliest rail accident in more than 20 years. The shocking crash involved the Bengaluru-Howrah Superfast Express, the Shalimar-Chennai Central Coromandel Express, and a goods train.
One train crashed with another so violently during the collision that carriages were launched into the air and twisted before crashing off the tracks. Another carriage's passenger portion had been crushed after being completely thrown onto its roof.
Following the tragic incident, the cricket fraternity, other Indian sporting icons and clubs took to Twitter to express their shock and also offered their thoughts and prayers to the victims.
"Saddened to hear about the tragic train accident in Odisha. My thoughts and prayers go out to the families who lost their loved ones and wishing a speedy recovery to the injured," wrote veteran Indian batter Virat Kohli, who is in London gearing up for the WTC Final against Australia.
Saddened to hear about the tragic train accident in Odisha. My thoughts and prayers go out to the families who lost their loved ones and wishing a speedy recovery to the injured.
— Virat Kohli (@imVkohli)Another Indian batting star Shreyas Iyer, who is recovering from a back surgery, said, "Shocking visuals from Odisha. Praying for those affected by the tragic train accident."
Shocking visuals from Odisha. Praying for those affected by the tragic train accident 🙏
— Shreyas Iyer (@ShreyasIyer15)Here's a look at some of the other reactions from the cricket fraternity over the shocking Odisha train accident:
Extremely sad hearing about this tragic train accident involving Coromandel Express in Odisha.
Condolences to all families who have lost their loved ones and prayers for quick recovery of those injured. https://t.co/9foYqHybNa
Heartbroken by the devastating Odisha train accident. Sending prayers and condolences to the families of the victims, and wishing a swift recovery to the injured. 🙏
— Yusuf Pathan (@iamyusufpathan)Heart wrenching news coming from Odisha. My thoughts and prayers for the families who lost their lives in this horrific train accident.
— Irfan Pathan (@IrfanPathan)Devastated by the loss of lives in Odisha. May god give strength to the families of victims. Wishing speedy recovery to those injured. Nation stands with you.
— Gautam Gambhir (@GautamGambhir)So saddened to hear about the devastating train accident in Odhisa . My thoughts and prayers with the people and their families .strength and prayers 🙏🏽
— Sania Mirza (@MirzaSania)We are deeply saddened by the tragic train accident that occurred at Balasore, Odisha.
Our thoughts and prayers are with the families of those affected. 🙏 pic.twitter.com/qs53LrxR02
Deeply saddened to learn about the devastating train accident in Odisha. My thoughts and prayers are with the families who have lost their dear ones, and I hope the injured make a full recovery.
— Wasim Jaffer (@WasimJaffer14)The visuals from the tragic train accident in Odisha have saddened the whole nation, including us.
Our thoughts and prayers go out to the families who lost their loved ones in this tragedy.
Huge cranes and bulldozers were rushed to the crash site to raise a coach which has been buried by the impact of another wagon falling on it, as rescue workers wielded gas torches and electric cutters to pull out survivors and the dead from the mangled steel of three trains that derailed one on top of another in a horrific sequence.
Officials in Bhubaneswar said 200 ambulances, 50 buses and 45 mobile health units were working at the accident site, besides 1,200 personnel. The bodies were being taken to the hospitals in all kinds of vehicles, including tractors.
Also read: Odisha train crash one of the deadliest Railway accidents in India
The train crash, the fourth deadliest in India according to available records, happened near the Bahanaga Baazar station in Balasore district, about 250 km south of Kolkata and 170 km north of Bhubaneswar, around 7 pm on Friday, prompting the Railway Ministry to order a probe.
The inquiry into the train accident will be led by A M Chowdhary, Commissioner Railway Safety, South East Circle, the Indian Railways said in a statement. The Commissioner Railway Safety comes under the Ministry of Civil Aviation. While it is not clear what caused the crash, reports indicate a possible signalling failure.